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FRONT VIEW OF CHURCH. 



OF A 



BY 

SARAH EDEN SMITH 




Published by 

The Salem Press Co., Salem, Mass. 

1907 



rLfBRARYofCONGRESST 
I Two Cooles fisceived I 

I NOV 9 im 

j Ocnyrjirht Entry 
CLASS /I aiJo, 
i cop/b. 



Dedicated to 

The Memory of the 

Founders of the 

South Church 

Salem 
Massachusetts. 



Copyrighted bt 

Sarah Eden Smith 

JULT 1907. 



f^A- 



c,,St 



I WISH TO GRATEFULIvY ACKNOWI^EDGE MY INDEBTED- 
NESS TO THOSE WHO HAVE AIDED ME IN OBTAINING 
MATERIALS FOR THESE REMINISCENCES. My THANKS 

are especially due for the use of photographs 
and silhouettes belonging to friends and to the 
Essex Institute. S. E. S. 



REMINISCENCES OF A NEW ENGLAND 
CHURCH AND PEOPLE. 




Sarah Eden Smith. 

DISTINCT remembrance of any town in 
New England as it was fifty or sixty years 
ago, would, I think, naturally include the 
memory of a church. And some individual 
churches have done much to make and pre- 
serve the character and history of the com- 
munides in which they were planted. The ''Old South Church" 
of Boston is perhaps the most familiar instance. The old 
Meedng House sdll conUnues to be a centre of influence 
for good to the young people of the great city. A few years 
ago I had the privilege of witnessing a Flag Raising at the 
Milton Academy. Previous to the ceremony we heard that 
wonderful story "The Man Without a Country" read by the 
venerable author. It w^as most impressive and affecdng, the 
more so, because many of us felt the unseen presence of that 
ardent lover of her country who had suggested the arrange- 
ment of the aff^air. On my return to Salem in the afternoon 
I was in a car where, for a few minutes, the only other occu- 
pant was a boy of ten or twelve, who, as he confided to me, 
was making his first journey alone. He had left the other 



2 REMINISCENCES OF A 

end of the car and taken the seat next me, so to divert the 
little fellow from his loneliness, I told him of the exercises 
at the Milton School in the morning. I asked him if he had 
heard of Dr. Edward Everett Hale. He did not think he had. 
I then asked him if he knew anything about Mrs. Mary 
Hemenway. His face brightened at once — "Oh, yes, he 
said, she was the good lady who gave a hundred dollars 
to keep the "Old South" Church'* where, said he, we can all 
go to hear about Washington, and to sing America. And, 
he added, we know all about the Flag. It is pleasant to 
think that Boston boys of today are being taught Loyalty and 
Patriotism in the same place where those of colonial times 
learned the lesson. I trust that the "Old South Work" will 
be continued as long as the schools show the interest that 
they appear to have at present in what is given them in the 
bare, old-fashioned Meeting House ; while at the other side 
of the city, in the modern church with the rich furnishings, 
and gifted preacher, and wealthy parishioners, the honor of 
the old name is kept up in another way. The blind organist 
from London may test his skill there on the superb organ. 
The cause of the Indian and the Negro and many another 
charity will there find a generous hearing. 

In Salem, also, we have had for a hundred years a South 
Church, of which we were justly proud. The fine old 
wooden "Meeting House" considered one of the most beauti- 
ful specimens of the "Christopher Wren School of Architec- 
ture" was burned on the nineteenth of December, 1903, just 
as we were planning the celebration of its centennial. Its 



NEW ENGLAND CHURCH AND PEOPLE. 3 

old age was likely to be its most brilliant period. Architects 
and other artists came frequently to study its line proportions 



F 



#■ 




THE SOUTH CHURCH SPIRE. 



and picturesque effects, especially when viewed from the 
East. The site was most fortunate, a broad corner lot on 



4 REMINISCENCES OF A 

Chestnut Street, where the tall graceful spire, one hundred 
and sixty-tive feet in height, was seen against the delicate 
tracery of the top branches of the old elms, some of which 
had probably stood there as long as the church. On both 
sides of the street are some of the finest of the colonial houses 
for which Salem has been famous. It is near the centre of 
the city, very accessible, but ver}^ quiet, a block away from 
cars of all sorts. I remember that many years ago a gentle- 
man of the neighborhood spent two years abroad and on his 
return said, that he had seen nothing in Europe that he liked 
better than "Ur. Emerson's steeple." It was quite commonly 
spoken of in that way during the life of the old clergyman. 
A writer in the North American Review said that "in its beauty 
of proportion it was not equalled in any steeple that he knew 
of in the United States." In my childhood there were stone 
steps across the whole front of the church and I think they 
must have given a fine efiect to the base of the structure, but 
I believe they were considered troublesome and dano;erous. 
In bad storms, when there was a high wand I used to see the 
older people who were within sight of the steeple watch it 
carefully to see if it rocked. It never justified their fears 
however, and when it was taken to pieces after the fire, the 
up-right beams were found to be so sound that it was said they 
would have lasted another hundred years. A group of gen- 
tlemen were watching it as the flames reached the top, and 
when the ball and vane fell they raised their hats as an in- 
voluntary tribute to what the dear old spire had stood for so 
many years. The bell that had hung in the tower since 1807, 
was imported from London by Mr. John Jenks, a member of 



NEW ENGLAND CHURCH AND PEOPLE. 5 

the church, and one of the old time Salem merchants. Its 
weight was thirteen hundred and eleven pounds, and it cost 




THE SOUTH CHURCH, SALEM. 

seven hundred and seventeen dollars. Mr. Jenks also im- 
ported the beautiful glass chandelier, at a cost of about a 
thousand dollars. Both were destroyed in the tire. It is 



6 REMINISCENCES OF A 

the second Meeting House that we are talking of. The first, 
was a building which was erected in 1766, for social purposes, 
and was known as ''Assembly Hall." It was purchased and 
fitted as a place of worship in 1774. It stood on the site 
afterward occupied by the South Church Chapel. It con- 
tained fifty-six pews, half of which were wall pews. The 
society was not large. There had been two divisions. The 
first in 1735, when ''a majority of the church including the 
Pastor withdrew and formed what was afterward styled 'The 
Third Congregational Church of Salem,' leaving the minor- 
ity to constitute the First Church." The plate belonging to 
the communion service was equally divided between the two 
churches. Another separation occurred in 1774, after a sharp 
contention, when Dr. Whittaker, who was a Presbyterian, 
withdrew, taking the larger part of the people with him. 
Thev built the place of worship called The Tabernacle, and 
took the same name as the designation of the church. The 
minority, according to the Ecclesiastical councils of that day, 
"remained the original Third Churcli formed in 1735." The 
plate belonging to the communion service was equally di- 
vided between the Tabernacle and the Third Church. In the 
list of the thirty-eight members of the Third Church who 
called the Council in 1775, we see names which are still 
greatly respected in Salem ; Benjamin Ropes, Timothy 
Pickering, Jonathan Very, John Waters and others. I think 
that the society must have grown rapidly. The edifice with 
which we are familjar was erected in 1805, at a cost of tw^enty- 
four thousand, two hundred and forty dollars, and w^as known 



NEW ENGLAND CHURCH AND PEOPLE. 7 

as the "New South Meeting House in Salem." I have re- 
ceipts dated as late as 1830, tor sittings in the "New South 




Meeting House." I do not know when it ceased to be called 
''New." The society was incorporated by an act of Legis- 
lature on March 15, 1805. Gradually, but without any formal 



8 REMINISCENCES OF A 

action the title of the Parish was transferred to the Church, 
which has since been commonly known as the Soutk 
Church. 

The Rev. Daniel Hopkins was settled as Pastor in 1778, 
and held the office until his death in 1814, a term of thirty- 
six years. Nine years previous, his son-in-law, the Rev- 
Brown Emerson, was installed as Associate Pastor, and at Dr. 
Hopkins' death assumed the lull Pastorate, and was officially 
connected with the church until his death in 1872, a period 
of sixt3^-seven years. In 1849, ^^^^ Rev. Israel E. Dwinell 
was settled as Associate Pastor with Dr. Emerson, and held 
the position until his dismissal in 1863, a term of fourteen 
years. The Rev. Edward S. Atwood was installed as Asso- 
ciate with Dr. Emerson in 1864, and on the death of the 
Senior Pastor in May, 1872, assumed the full office which he 
held until his death in May, 1888, a period of twenty-four 
years. The Rev. James F. Brodie was installed Pastor of 
the South Church in 1889 and was dismissed in 1904, a 
period of fifteen years. At present, in 1907, the society is 
worshipping in a hall, with the Rev. Harold Colson Feast, as 
acting Pastor. A new church is commenced on the old site 
and this time it will be of stone. 

Dr. Hopkins was a graduate of Yale College, where he was 
distinguished as a scholar and much respected as a man. 
His theological studies were pursued under the tuition of his 
brother, the celebrated Samuel Hopkins of Newport, R. I. 
He began to preach within a year or two after his graduation 
but feeble health prevented his settlement in any one parish,. 



NEW ENGLAND CHURCH AND PEOPLE. ^ 

and he spent eight years in manual labor, travelling, or 
preaching occasionally as his strength would permit. In 
1776 he came to Salem, and preached to the Third Church, 
and in several vacant parishes in Essex County, and received 
a call to settle in Hamilton which he declined. During a 
residence of twelve years in Salem, previous to his ordina- 
tion, he was "ver\' usefullv and acceptablv employed as a 
teacher." In 1775 he relinquished his school to attend to his 
duties as a member ot' the Provincial Congress, and of the 
Council in the Conventional Government. He was chosen 
Pastor of the Third Church in 1776, but owing to his en- 
gagements in the Congress and the general interruption of 
affairs occasioned by the Revolutionary troubles, he was not 
ordained until November 1778. On March 7, 1771, Mr. 
Hopkins was married by Dr. Whittaker to Miss Susannah 
Saunders, daughter of Mr. John Saunders, merchant of 
Salem. The young lady had been one of his pupils. She 
was tw^enty years younger than her husband. It was a very 
happy marriage. Mrs. Hopkins outlived the Doctor twenty- 
three years, and died in her eighty-fourth year. She is rep- 
resented to have been in age, as in youth, a most charming 
person. Dr. Emerson in an obituary notice of Dr. Hopkins 
said that he made use of briefs, that he never w^rote a sermon 
until after he had preached it. '' He spoke from the fullness 
of his heart, his illustrations were impressive, and his gest- 
ures easy and natural." Dr. Bentley spoke of him as ''An 
accomplished gentleman, and beloved by the people of his 
■charge." He was original and forcible as a preacher, and 



lO REMINISCENCES OF A 

by many he was considered an abler man than his brother^ 
A personal notice, written about the time of his ordination^ 




speaks of him as "tall, and erect of figure," and says "in 
appearance and bearing he strikingly resembles Gen. Wash- 



NEW ENGLAND CHURCH AND PEOPLE. II 

ington. As he walks the street on a week day wearing his 
high, triangular hat, no man is looked upon with more re- 
spect and veneration." "He is a famous rider, and an enthus- 
iastic military man. He sits gracefully on his horse, and 
prays with his eyes wide open in the presence of his regiment." 
Dr. Emerson said that "perhaps no Pastor ever possessed the 
affections of his people in a higher degree than Dr. Hopkins. 
He was welcomed at their firesides, the children all loved him, 
and were glad to be instructed by him. He gathered them 
all at stated seasons for exercises in the Catechism, which he 
made interesting by his lively illustrations." Many of his 
quaint sayings were retained in the memory of his scholars 
until late in life. I think that any one w4io could have made the 
study of "The Assembly's Shorter Catechism" attractive to 
children must have had an uncommon personality. He was 
very independent. Some citizens waited upon him once to 
ask him to change his statements upon some subject. "He 
heard them through, then smoothed his face and replied, 
'gendemen I smoke my own tobacco.' They withdrew with- 
out another word." He died in his eighty-first year. In the 
arrangements for his funeral on Dec. 19, i8i4,the "Commis- 
sioned officers of the ist Regiment, ist Brigade, 2nd Division, 
were ordered to meet in uniform complete, at Dr. Stearns' 
dwelling house, for the purpose of attending the funeral ot 
their late Chaplain." At the interment of Dr. Hopkins the 
Committee of the Church decided to discontinue the custom 
of providing a quantity of ardent spirits for the sextons. Dr. 
Bendey of the East Church commended the action of the 



12 REMINISCENCES OF A 

Committee and the other societies of the town followed their 
example. 

"In 1806 the Scriptures were read for the first time as a 
part of the church services. And in 1813 a Sunday School, 
one of the earliest if not the earliest, organized in New Eng- 
land, was commenced in the Parish by Miss Susan Bullinch, 
afterwards the wile of the Rev. Daniel Poor, D. D., of the 
Ceylon Mission." In 1807 a small chapel was erected 'Tor 
church and conference and Singing Meetings" which was 
used until 1850, when a "petition for a more commodious 
structure" was followed bv the construction of the chapel that 
was burned with the church. My first attendance at the 
"Infant Class" was when it was held in the gallery of the 
church under the instruction of Miss Rebecca Thayer, and 
Miss Susan Hopkins, both most faithful and devoted teachers. 
The rememln-ance of their tenderness and sweetness with the 
children is still fresh in my mind. Miss Thayer died many 
years ago. Miss Hopkins, who w^as a niece of Mrs. Emerson, 
married Mr. Ten Broeck of New^ York, and is still living. 
In later years the little ones were gathered in the chapel. 

I have never heard that any change was made in the 
Meeting House during the life of Dr. Hopkins or in the early 
incumbency of Dr. Emerson. I believe the pulpit w^as rather 
large and high and had some crimson silk drapery at the 
back. There w-ere two side aisles and one broad aisle, as it 
was called, in the centre. I rememl)er that before we had a 
furnace there were two monumental-looking stoves in the 
S. E. and S. W. corners, and smoke pipes that were carried 
the length of the church, and I think that some of the older 



NEW ENGLAND CHURCH AND PEOPLE. 1 3 

people whose pews were at the north side of the church con- 
tinued to use small foot stoves, and hot soap-stones in the 
coldest weather. The wall pews on the shady side were al- 
ways cold. In the later years that we were in a wall pew, 
in one adjoining, sat the delicate, gentle boy, whose short 
life is commemorated in the beautiful "Blake Memorial 
Chapel" at Harmony Grove Cemetery. In i860 the church 
was remodelled. Four aisles were made in place of three, giv- 
ing six rowsof very comfortable pews. The pulpit was changed 
and new doors were put in. The organ, one of the earliest 
made by Hook, was, as in all the old churches, opposite the 
pulpit. It had been the custom for the people to turn around 
in singing. They gave it up, however, at Dr. Emerson's 
request. He said that there was something irreverent in 
turning their backs to the altar, and that it appeared to him as 
if the whole congregation were turning on a pivot. The 
pulpit and table were of mahogany, and three large plain 
blocks of the same wood finished the platform on each side. 
There was a brass rail on one side for the Doctor's con- 
venience in going up and down the steps. The walls were 
frescoed in two shades of gray, suggesting blocks of stone. 
Over the pulpit in a panel was the inscription, "Third Con- 
gregational Church of Christ, i735-" This was a continual 
assertion of a position that was questioned by some ol the 
Tabernacle people, and was not interesting to most of the 
South Church. I think some accident happened to the color- 
ing of the north wall, and when it was repaired our Apostle of 
Peace requested the Committee to have, instead of the old 
inscription, the motto ''God is Love" placed in the panel. It 



14 REMINISCENCES OF A 

was done, and those words remained there until in later 
years the organ and choir seats were put back of the pulpit. 
Within my remembrance the discussion of precedence in the 
title has always been between the minister of the Tabernacle 
and a deacon, or other officer, of the South Church. For 
many years there was a meeting in the chapel on Tuesday 
evenings for the members of the Church, and on Friday even- 
ings a prayer and conference meeting for the Parish. I re- 
member hearing that at one of the Church meetings Deacon 
C. produced a basket of pamphlets which he had had printed 
for those of the Church members who might wish to have a 
correct history of the division of the Church and of the reason 
for retaining the title of Third Church. I was told by one 
who was present that a large majority declined to reopen the 
subject. Probably Dr. Emerson was very glad to have it 
dropped. In former years when we had two services every 
Sunday, the afternoon of Communion Day, then the first 
Sunday of every month, was the time for the preachers to 
exchange. Of the Salem ministers who exchanged with Dr. 
Emerson I remember most distinctlv Dr. Worcester of the 
Tabernacle, Mr. Sessions and Mr. Hoppin of the Crombie 
Street, and Dr. Mills of the First Baptist. Dr. Worcester 
took a long firm step as he walked down the aisle. He had 
a way in preaching of frequently opening his eyes quite wide, 
and closing his lips very tightly. One would feel that there 
was no appeal from that statement, whatever it might be. I 
think he was considered an able writer, and a very genial and 
delightful man. Occasionally an older brother of Dr. Emer- 
son, who I think was settled not far away, would come for a 



NEW ENGLAND CHURCH AND PEOPLE. 1$ 

Sunday. He was familiarly known among us as "Uncle 
Rheuben" and was always welcome. He was very unlike 
his brother in appearance. He was closely confined to his 
notes, had rather a gruff voice and kept one of his black silk 
gloves on in the pulpit. The fingers were always too long. 
He was rather a solemn preacher, but I was told that in 
social intercourse he displayed a great deal of quiet humor. 
I remember quite an exciting incident that occurred when I 
was quite young. Dr. Emerson exchanged with an out of 
town minister, whose name I have forgotten. During the 
sermon a lady who sat in the pew, with us, became very 
restless, and finally caught up her parasol and pounded it 
down on the cushion, exclaming ''I can't stand that" and rushed 
out of the church. I was told afterward that the preacher 
was asserting the lost condition of children who died uncon- 
verted. The lady had buried two little children. I suppose 
that strict doctrinal sermons were more common then, and so 
less noticeable than they would be now. There was one of 
our ministers whose preaching was considered entertaining as 
well as instructive. It was Dr. Braman of Danvers. One 
morning he came to the South Church, Salem, without his 
sermon, and after fumbling some time in his pockets in 
search of it, said that he would "read a chapter in Job worth 
ten of it," which he did, with a running commentary that was 
very interesting to his hearers. He had a trick of rolling a 
bit of paper in one hand while the other was plunged deep in 
his pocket. It was said that if he lost his roll of paper he 
would loose his own self possession as well. He was sub- 
ject to absentmindedness. I have heard that he would take 



l6 REMINISCENCES OF A 

his wife in his buggy to Salem on errands and agree to meet 
her at a seat on the road and perhaps not think of it until af- 
ter he had been some time at home. Dr. Emerson, without 
ever being considered brilliant, was always called a good 
preacher. His manner in the pulpit and elsewhere was so 
full of serenity and sweetness that it was very winning. He 
had a good voice and clear enunciation. He was fond of the 
biographies in the Bible, and in the later years of his preach- 
ing he would repeat his favorite discourses. After the first 
few words we would whisper to each other ''it is the Moses 
sermon." or ''the David," or it might be the one on industry 
and faithful work, and then he would reiterate the words 
"Susan Bultinch was never idle." He would frequently pray 
that those of us who could not sing might "make music in 
our hearts to the Lord." That those who were in sorrow 
"might have the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of 
praise for the spirit of heaviness." He would beg us "not 
to come into church as a horse rushes into battle," but 
quietly and reverently, realizing that it was the house of God, 
and might be for us "the very gate of Heaven." Dr. Emer- 
son was settled for life on a salary of six hundred dollars a 
year. It was afterward increased to a thousand, not a large 
income on which to bring up a family of ten children. The 
older ones had all left Salem before my time. The oldest of 
the five sons was named Daniel Hopkins. One was a clergy- 
man, the Rev. Edward Emerson. A daughter married a 
minister of the same name as her father, the Rev. Brown 
Emerson. By another pleasant coincidence, the youngest 
daughter married Mr. Samuel Hopkins Nichols, who became 



NEW ENGLAND CHURCH AND PEOPLE. 17 

a deacon in the South Church, thus continuing the associa- 
tion with the name of Hopkins, so honorable in the annals of 
Congregationalism. Mrs. Emerson, who was Miss Mary- 
Hopkins, was a very lovely woman, with light brown, almost 
golden hair, unchanged to the last I think, soft hazel eyes 
and a most gracious and dignified presence. One of the 
daughters, a merry girl who was intimate with my cousin, 
would hurry home sometimes because she said the "United 
Head" would be disturbed if she were late at a meal. Dr. 
Emerson's house was on Essex Street just below where Grace 
Church now stands. It had been a homestead in the Hop- 
kins family. It was plain but sufficiently large, and very 
homelike and attractive, and always open to the Parish. The 
Doctor made one short trip to Europe when he had reached at 
least middle age. The only other change of scene he could 
have had in all those years was in exchanging with other 
ministers and in visiting his married children who, I think, 
were all settled in, or near New York state. In 1855, the fif- 
tieth anniversary of his settlement was celebrated in the 
church with suitable exercises, in which I think every clergy- 
man in the city took part, Dr. Worcester of the Tabernacle 
tendered the right hand of fellowship as heartily as his father 
had given it at Dr. Emerson's ordination fifty years before. 
Mr. Dwinell, the associate Pastor, presented to Dr. Emerson 
in behalf of the people, a large and handsome silver water 
pitcher, with salver. In the last year that Dr. Emerson 
was able to preach, he spoke in nearly every pulpit in the 
city. He was looked upon everywhere as a father, and his 
presence was considered a benediction. He was a noticeable 



l8 REMINISCENCES OF A 

figure on the street, always very nicely dressed, with unmis- 
takably the carriage of a gentleman. In cool weather he 
wore a long straight cloak of tine black broadcloth, gathered 




REV. BROWN EMERSON. 



into a yoke with a broad velvet collar, fastened by a silver 
hook and chain. His youngest daughter Mrs. Nichols, re- 
mained in the homestead until after her fathers death, at the 



NEW ENGLAND CHURCH AND PEOPLE. I9 

age of ninety-five, in the summer of 1872. He was buried 
from the church where he had ministered so long, and which 
he had loved so well. I think no one who was present at 
the funeral will ever forget the scene, or the services. All 
the Protestant clergy of the city beside many from other places 
attended, and several assisted in the offices of respect and af- 
fection. The musical exercises were particularly appropriate, 
with organ accompaniments by Mr. Parker Walker, which 
were admirably rendered. The address by the surviving 
Pastor the Rev. Edward S. Atwood, was most impressive 
and satisfactory. After the concluding prayer the following 
original Hymn, w^-itten for the occasion by a member of the 
Church, Mr. S. P. Driver, was sung to the music of a fine 
chant by Barnby. 

Gone to his rest I Life's pilgrimage complete 
Its perils passed, and gained its sure retreat. 
His wellworn staff and sandals laid away, 
Death ends in life, and night in endless day. 

Gone to his rest ! From strife with sin and wrong 
From din of combat to the victor's song ; 
Life's battle fought, his weary hands lay down 
The striver's helmet for the conqueror's crown. 

Gone to his rest! In Heaven's high fane of peace, 
Whose perfect worship crowns earth's full release; 
Life's work fulfilled, and all its labors done, 
Earth's duties close in Paradise begun. 

Gone to his rest ! Grief checks the sudden tear, 
And faith and love clasp hands across his bier. — 
Death brought no terrors with its large reward, 
The servant dwells forever with his Lord. 



20 REMINISCENCES OF A 

Rev. Dr. Lawrence of Marblehead pronounced the Bene- 
diction. The Mayor and representatives from all classes in 
the community testified by their presence their respect for 
the departed minister, and most venerable citizen. All the 
bells of the city were tolled during the passage of the funeral. 
The body was laid in Harmony Grove Cemetery, beside that 
of his wife, who had passed on to the other life six 3'ears 
before. 

It had been understood between Dr. Emerson and his 
Church that when he reached three score years and ten, 
he should have a colleague. That time having arrived in 
1849, ^^^ Doctor was asked if he had anyone in mind for the 
position. In answer, he mentioned the Rev. Israel E. 
Dwinell, a young man who had preached for him a year 
before, while visiting a friend in Salem. Consequently the 
Church and Parish voted to invite Mr. Dwinell to preach for 
three months, at the end of which time he was ordained as As- 
sociate Pastor. It was a most happy arrangement. Five years 
after in Dr. Emerson's sermon on the fiftieth anniversary of 
his settlement he said, "The joint pastors work together in 
the same field with uninterrupted peace aud harmon}^. Mr. 
Dwinell is proved to be a man of superior talents and attain- 
ments, well fitted by practical wisdom, kindness and untiring 
devotedness to the work of the ministry, for the place he oc- 
cupies." Mr. Dwinell not only satisfied the senior Pastor but 
he won most thoroughly the respect and affection of the 
people. Indeed he was regarded as a saint by those to 
whom he had ministered in times of mental or physical suf- 
fering, and I think I have never met anyone whom I thought 



NEW ENGLAND CHURCH AND PEOPLE. 



21 



more worthy to be canonized. Unfortunately our Massa- 
chusetts climate was too severe for him to make his life work 
here. He tried at the request of his people what a year of 




REV, ISRAEL E. DWINELL. 

rest in the country would do for him but it proved to be only 
a temporary relief, and he was obliged to decide on a change 
of residence. In May, 1853, a call came to him from the "First 



22 REMINISCENCES OF A 

Church of Christ"(Congregational) in Sacramento, California, 
which by the advice of friends he accepted, and at once made 
the necessary arrangements to leave Salem. It was hard for 
him and for the people that had become so sincerely attached 
to him. Mrs. Dwinell was in every respect well fitted to be the 
companion and helper of her husband in his work, as in his 
home life. A memoir of Dr. Dwinell has been written by his 
son-in-law the Rev. Henry E. Jewett of Oakland, California, 
which is very interesting and valuable, not only as giving the 
story of a noble Christian life, but also of the growth of Con- 
gregationalism in California, at the close of the Civil War. 

After Mr. Dwinell left us we were temporarily provided for 
until the 13th of October, 1864, when the Rev. Edward S. 
Atwood was installed as Associate Pastor, which office he 
filled to the abundant satisfaction of the people and the entire 
acceptance of the venerable father whose latest years were 
watched over by him with almost filial solicitude. From the 
time of Dr. Emerson's death in 1872 until his own summons 
came on May 13, 1888, Dr. Atwood was constantly, and I 
believe happily occupied with his work in his own church, 
and in the educational and literary interests of the commun- 
ity. His quick perception and versatile genius enabled him 
to turn easily from one subject to another. And his ardent 
temperament made him enter heartily into whatever he un- 
dertook, and gave him a persuasive manner in presenting 
any cause, or any course to others. I cannot think that he 
was ever at a loss for the right word to speak on any occa- 
sion. He died as I think he would have wished "in the 
harness," on a Saturday, after he had selected the hymns for 



NEW ENGLAND CHURCH AND PEOPLE. 23 

the next day, which were vised by Dr. Clark of the Taber- 
nacle, who kindly took charge of the stricken society on 




REV. EDWARD S. ATWOOD. 



Sunday morning. Mrs. Atwood, whose loveliness of charac- 
ter early endeared her to our people, remained in the Church 



24 REMINISCENCES OF A 

dividinc^ her time between the tarnilie:. ot' her daucrhters in 
Winchester, Mass., and of her son, a well-known physician 
in Salem. A verv interesting memorial volume was prepared 
and published in 1888 by the Monday Club of Boston, giving 
an enthusiastic sketch of Dr. Atwood's personal qualities and 
attainments, and a small collection of sermons. The subject 
of the tirst one is taken for the title of the book, "The Trans- 
figuration of Life."' 

The successor of Dr. Atwood, and the last minister to be 
associated with our beautiful old church was the Rev. James 
F. Brodie, who was installed on the evening of the 21st of 
February, 1889. A dignitied scholarly man, who led his 
people bravely through the \\ery ordeal to which they were 
subjected, and who, with his devoted wite, illustrated in the 
midst of very severe personal alfiiction, the Christian faith 
and patience, that he had so constantlv preached during fif- 
teen years of faithtul service in the Parish. Dr. Brodie left 
us in the summer of 1904 to accept an important position in 
Tennessee. The climate of that section did not prove as 
beneficial to Mrs. Brodie, or himselt', as we hoped it might, 
and another chanoe has been necessary. We are sure, how- 
ever, that with health re-established, he will find in some 
favorable location, other work in the vine\ard of the Master, 
whose he is, and whom he serves. 

After the fire the other churches of the city were most 
cordial in their ofl:ers of hospitality. We have worshipped a 
part of the time with the Crombie Street Church, and a part 
of the time in a Hall. We are hoping that before another 
Christmas we shall be established in a Church Home of our 



NEW ENGLAND CHURCH AND PEOPLE. 25 

own, on the old site, with the young minister who has been 
with us some months already, but is not yet ordained. 

The ministers of the South Church have all been men of 




REV. JAMES F. BRODIE. 



decided opinions, holding what are called Evangelical views, 
and Congregational principles, while being signally free 
from Sectarianism. Thev have believed in a Civic Church, 



26 



REMINISCENCES OF A 



and have always been ready to join the other denominations 
in work for the public good and in the literary and educa- 
tional life of the city. The people, as we look back over the 
hundred and more years of their existence as a Church, will 









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COMMUNION SILVER 



appear to have held their own "among the sundry and mani- 
fold changes of the world." They may have clung overmuch 
to the old traditions. They were slow to adopt the new ar- 
rangement for administering the Sacrament. The rich and 



NEW ENGLAND CHURCH AND PEOPLE. 27 

Stately service of silver seemed to belong to the fine old 
church. It probably represented some self denial and devo- 
tion in the fathers, and was an object of sacred pride. There 
are unquestionable advantages in using the small glasses, and 
perhaps there is inconsistency in pleading for starving men 
and women when the price of the silver on the table before 
the pulpit, or stored in the bank, would feed a whole commu- 
nity like the poor Russians and Chinese. 

" The Holy Supper is kept indeed 
111 whatso we share with another's need." 

We shall gladly share what spiritual, and material advan- 
tages we may have with any who mav need them. The 
church door will be open to all who would enter in. The 
South Church has never been lacking in hospitality. If it be 
true that "all that there is vital in a worth}^ vigorous past, is 
so much strength for the present," then we may hope that not- 
withstanding our reduced numbers from "the changes and 
chances of this mortal life," from deaths, and desertions, there 
is still a good deal of life in the old church, still the ability 
and spirit to work for the kingdom of God, — that "E'en in 
our ashes live their wonted fires." 




CHESTNUT STREET, FROM THE EAST. 



NOV 9 1907 



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